- Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy
Infobox Album |
Name = Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy
Type = Studio album
Artist =Return to Forever
Released = 1973
Recorded = August, 1973, atRecord Plant Studios , N.Y.
Genre =Jazz-rock fusion
Length = 40:36
Label =Polydor Records
Producer =Chick Corea
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://wc05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kzftxqygld6e link]
Last album = "Light as a Feather "
(1972)
This album = "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy"
(1973)
Next album = "Where Have I Known You Before "
(1974)"Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy" (1973) is
Return to Forever 's third studio album.This was the group's first album with a rock influenced sound and without any vocals. Former members
Flora Purim ,Joe Farrell andAirto Moreira were replaced by drummerLenny White and guitaristBill Connors .The album was originally recorded with drummer
Steve Gadd but when Gadd did not want to tour with the band, a new version was recorded withLenny White . The version featuring Gadd was never released and the whole recording is said to be lost.The music draws upon elements from various genres, including
Latin jazz ,funk ,psychedelic rock , andavant-garde jazz .Corea relies mostly on
electric piano s and organs. Also, Clarke has not developed his famous electric bass sound yet and plays his one solo on the album through afuzzbox . Bill Connors does not have the same reputation for technical wizardry as his successorAl Di Meola , but his heavily distorted guitar sound and fiery licks have received positive comments from reviewers.The review of the album on
Allmusic notes that "it is the quality of the compositions that marks "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy" as an indispensable disc of '70s fusion". Clarke contributed one song for the album and Corea wrote the rest of the material. The first track, the title track, is Corea's short space rock anthem that sets the mood for the rest of the album. The second track, "After the Cosmic Rain", is Clarke's sole composition on the album, and it features a long bass solo played through afuzzbox followed by Corea's fiery electric piano solo. "Captain Señor Mouse" is a piece that has a fast, airy theme that suddenly turns into another theme that sounds like Latin music. This composition shows a humorous side of Corea, who has claimed that the song was written about a mouse that he saw in a house while visitingSwitzerland . Long solos following themes are played by Corea and Connors. Al Di Meola recorded his own version of this song for his album "Casino" (1978). Side 2 of the original vinyl version starts with "Theme to the Mothership", which is another space-rock anthem. After a melodically strong theme, Connors plays a solo over one long repeating riff. Corea switches distortion on during his own solo. "Space Circus" features Corea's "Children Song" as a spooky intro that is followed by a piece that is based on a funk riff. This time Corea leaves solo space solely for Connors. Lenny White has also some extensive drum breaks on the track. The last track, "Game Maker" has also a slow intro after which an avant-garde-like theme comes in. Corea and Connors play improvised solos in acall-and-response style.After touring for a while following the album's release, Connors left the group for a solo career, stating that he wanted to concentrate on acoustic music. He was replaced by
Al Di Meola .Personnel
*
Chick Corea -Electric piano , Acoustic piano, Organ,Harpsichord ,Gong s
*Stanley Clarke - Electric bass,Bell tree
*Lenny White - Percussion
*Bill Connors -Electric guitar , Acoustic guitarTrack listing
#Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (Corea) – 3:31
#After the Cosmic Rain (Clarke) – 8:25
#Captain Señor Mouse (Corea) – 9:01
#Theme to the Mothership (Corea) – 8:49
#Space Circus, Pts. 1 & 2 (Corea) – 5:42
#The Game Maker (Corea) – 6:46
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